A case of elasto-plastic flow using a new special element

Using a new special element for elasto-plastic flow, a nearly square, center-cracked plate of simulated A533 steel is analyzed. Selected results are examined locally to the crack's tip. It is found that a sharp transition in the distribution of deformation and stress occurs after the initial elastic response, and that this state is followed by fairly stable behavior over a considerable portion of the load range. Distribution of strain energy density is noted, and implications for use of the parameter J and for additional work are discussed briefly.